Page 19 of Crown of Briars
“Everything here is… clouded,”she began, her voice contemplative.“And I don’t mean that in reference to the shadows. The magic itself is shrouded in something, like it has been cloaked. It’s so powerful that even I cannot penetrate it.”
My eyes began closing, but my brow furrowed at her description. “Is it the Wraith King?”
“I’m not sure. But I doubt even a king holds enough power to blanket the entire court. I sensed it the moment we crossed the border.”
“Well, heisunseelie. And he’s powerful enough to send his poisonous shadows to other lands. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s powerful enough to contain his own kingdom in a sort of shield.”
“Perhaps.”Azure’s tone sounded doubtful.
“What else do you notice?”
“All manner of strange creatures. Nothing like what we’ve seen back home. I came across a two-headed stag. And also a winged fox. It’s almost delightful, the possibilities that exist here.”
“You aren’t afraid?” I mumbled, stifling a yawn.
“So far, I’ve been the largest creature I’ve seen. But I’m sure I’ll encounter more dangerous species later on. And yes, I will be careful.”
As I slipped into unconsciousness, her voice began to fade. And in my mind, I saw winged horses and skeletal demons that danced around my thoughts with laughter and mockery.
A loud pounding jolted me awake. With a startled cry, I jerked upright, blinking blearily at the warm sunlight that illuminatedmy room. My chestnut hair stuck up all around me, and the sheets had tangled around my legs. Several of the plush pillows had wound up on the floor.
Someone knocked again, this time more urgently.
“I’m awake,” I mumbled. Then, more loudly, I said, “Come in!”
“The door is already open,” said a rich, feminine voice. “But I thought it polite to knock all the same.”
Slowly, the door opened, and a creature shrouded in darkness entered the room. The first thing I noticed about her were her great wings, folded tightly behind her. But even folded, a single wing was as wide as her slender figure, and nearly as tall. The points of the wings almost dragged on the floor behind her. Her skin was the color of charcoal. The only light parts of her body were her silver eyes, which gleamed with an otherworldly glow. One look from her made me feel as if she could peer into the depths of my soul.
I unconsciously drew the sheets up to my chin in trepidation.
The beautiful fae’s eyebrows lifted, her crimson-painted lips curling into a smirk. “I am impressed, human. Most of your kind either weeps or shits themselves at the sight of me.”
“I… I…” It took a few tries before I could find my voice. “I am growing accustomed to the unique forms of the unseelie.”
She chuckled, the sound just as musical as her voice. It almost sounded like a smooth purr. “Just wait until you meet Varius.”
Varius.This fae was on a first-name basis with the king?
I cleared my throat, clutching the sheets more tightly around myself. I had been expecting Enzira or Ramia to come to my rooms, not this beautiful and terrifying being. “Is there… something I can help you with?”
She pressed a hand to her chest, and I noted the long, black claws protruding from her fingers. “Forgive mymanners. My name is Tislora. I am the sorceress of the Shadow Court.”
My blood ran cold.Sorceress.Stones, why had she come to seeme? Was she going to curse me? Bind my fate so that I could inflict no harm on the Wraith King?
Tislora laughed, tossing her sheet of shiny black hair over her shoulder. “Fear not, little human. I mean you no harm. I only wish to collect a vial of your blood.”
My brows knitted together. “My blood?”
“Yes. For the marriage ceremony tomorrow.”
My head jerked back, panic coursing through me in violent waves. “Tomorrow? I—I am marrying the king tomorrow?”
She cocked her head at me, scrutinizing me in such a way that reminded me of a bird of prey. “Isn’t that what you came here to do?”
“Well, yes, but… I didn’t think—” I broke off, my face burning as I realized how foolish I sounded.Of courseI came here to marry the Wraith King. I wasn’t an idiot. But I had thought—or rather,hoped—that I would have a few days to settle in, to explore the castle, and, perhaps, to locate the enchanted rose that was linked to the Wraith King’s power.
And, if I was being perfectly honest, a small, foolish part of me hoped I would find it right away. Then I could end the Wraith King before having to suffer through a marriage ceremony and a wedding night with him.
